Losing baby weight can vary differently for every postpartum mum. Some might experience significant weight loss whilst others might gain more weight during this period.
The gratifying experience of giving birth to your baby is a feeling that can never be replaced by any other thing in the world. However, there are several reasons that causes post maternity weight gain and one of the main reasons for this is hormones.
After pregnancy, the first six weeks will be a time for your body to heal, rebalance, and recover. Post pregnancy women experience very unbalanced hormonal changes that can both determine your weight loss or weight gain and affect your weight loss plans.
A post pregnancy condition called postpartum thyroiditis causes the thyroid to produce instable levels of hormones. An underactive thyroid will result in weight gain and an overactive thyroid will encourage weight gain. Overall, the instability of the hormones produced by the thyroid causes most women to experience no weight loss even with exercise and diet.
But exercise helps the body balance the hormones as it is scientifically proven to produce two hormones, endorphins and dopamine that act as neurotransmitters to your brain to produce a feeling of well-being and happiness. Eating nutritious foods rich in antioxidants, proper exercise and lots of sleep can help you increase these hormones to make you feel good in your daily life.
Hormones also affect your exercise plans and you should carefully choose the right workout techniques for your recovering body. There is a hormone called ‘relaxin’ that develops in your body when you’re pregnant and it stays there for up to five months after giving birth.
This hormone increases the size and elasticity of your ligaments and muscles which mean your joints are more fragile compared to mums who have recovered from post pregnancy. It is vital that you get a suitable workout plan which can be found in our 28 Day Diet & Exercise Plan.
Not only that, when you are stressed you release a hormone called cortisol. High levels of stress will lead to high levels of cortisol release which weakens your immune system, decrease metabolism, and impairs digestion. Cortisol also stimulates your appetite, and fats that are consumed because of stress-induced appetite are more likely to redirect itself to your belly. So, the combination of your decreased metabolism and increased appetite makes it tougher for you to lose baby weight. To help release stress, start doing light breathing exercises and take some time off from your busy schedule as a new mother by seeking help from family and friends to care for your young one.
Just remember that in order for you to maximise your weight loss goals, find the suitable weight loss plan that will help you lose that baby weight such as the Lose Baby Weight plans